The Microbiome Medal award, established in 2025 by the One Health Microbiome Center, honors a singular scholar or group of scholars who nobly extend excellence, acumen, and ingenuity in research, mentorship, and service to the global field of microbiome science. Microbiome Medal scholars do not just advance knowledge and training, they enrich humanity and improve the lives of many people, including those they may never meet. They motivate and accelerate the next generation of microbiome scientists. Laureates are honored at an annual multi-day visit to the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State in a public lecture that celebrates and inspires creative, intellectual, and nurturing impacts of the scientific endeavor. Equal emphasis in evaluation is placed on the categories of research, mentorship, and service.
The nomination process requires the following materials that will be treated confidentially and evaluated by the One Health Microbiome Center leadership:
- Full CV of the nominee
- 1-3 page nomination letter; multiple letters from different sources are welcome
- No more than one letter of support can be written from the same primary institution as the nominee
Nominations may be sent to microbiomecenter@psu.edu with the subject line "Microbiome Medal Nomination."
Laureates will receive a custom-crafted bronze medallion, a cash prize, and a multi-day visit to the One Health Microbiome Center. This award is international, so we encourage nominations from across the globe.